Farewell Ellen! Here Are 5 LGBTQ Celebrities We’d Love to See Take Over Daytime TV
Ellen DeGeneres is ending her show after 19 seasons. After nearly two decades on the air, the iconic (and recently controversial) talk show host has decided to call it quits, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “When you’re a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged — and as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it’s just not a challenge anymore.” And while the idea of an Ellen replacement hasn’t really been addressed, we have some thoughts.
Last year, Buzzfeed News reported on the racism and intimidation Ellen’s employees (both former and current) claim they faced in the workplace. It has been speculated that her decision to end the show after its 19th season is due to the plummeting ratings as a result of the show’s allegedly toxic environment.
In 2021, Ellen’s viewership declined by almost 50%.
Despite the controversy surrounding the show, its achievements are not to be overlooked. This 64 Daytime Emmy-winning staple of American television was hosted by a lesbian and almost never aired in the first place. (“It was the hardest show we’ve ever had to launch in the history of our company,” one executive says.)
While Ellen herself may be stepping down, that doesn’t mean we can’t have another show of its caliber, with an Ellen replacement who is also a member of the queer community.
Here are five LGBTQ candidates for an Ellen replacement who we’d love to see take over daytime TV:
1. Tan France
One of the first openly gay Muslim and South Asian men on television, Tan France is known for his impeccable style. And as one of the Queer Eye experts, he’s also made fans worldwide with his charm, compassion and understanding. Plus he’s gorgeous, and we deserve to see him every day.
2. Laverne Cox
The first openly trans person to be nominated for an Emmy, Laverne Cox already has a pretty good gig lined up: taking over for Giuliana Rancic as host of E!’s red carpet coverage. “I’m so excited and deeply humbled to be hosting E!’s iconic red carpet coverage. For many years I would wake up early on awards show days, get my snacks in place and watch E!’s coverage all day long,” she said about her new role. If her schedule permitted, we’d love to see her as an Ellen replacement, too.
3. Billy Eichner
Billy Eichner is one of the funniest people on TV today, with acting credits including The Lion King, Parks and Recreation and American Horror Story. And while we’d hate to see him ever give up the instant serotonin that is Billy on the Street, we’d love to see him bring his sense of humor to daytime television.
4. Elliot Page
Everything about Elliot Page exudes cool, authentic and inviting, so we can’t think of anyone we’d rather sit down and have a heart-to-heart with. His resolve and passion to use his platform to advocate for trans rights make him an ideal candidate for the job of an Ellen replacement.
5. Billy Porter
It should go without saying that we want to see the legendary Billy Porter do everything. One of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People of 2020” and the first openly gay Black man to win the “Lead Actor in a Drama” category at the Emmys, he is a true American icon.
